Qin Yuan seemed oblivious, slowly explaining the layout of the Marquis's mansion and the beauty of the various gardens to Qin Siyuan. Finally, she said, "Brother, do you still remember the difference in purpose that we didn't finish discussing before? Look at the layout of this Marquis's mansion and then think about the layout of the Qin mansion. What you see is the difference in purpose."

Qin Siyuan opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.

The Qin residence was small and cramped, but it had all the necessary facilities.

He had been staying at the Qin residence for several years, rarely leaving his small courtyard, yet he had become intimately familiar with the layout of the Qin residence.

Comparing it to the scenery of the Marquis's mansion in front of us, it's truly remarkable that my younger sister came up with this idea.

But believe it or not, that barrier that has been obscured for so many years seems to be crumbling again.

The two remained silent until they were almost at the main room, when Qin Yuan spoke: "The old lady dotes on me and the Marquis. The household is small; besides the Sixth Master and his wife, there's also the unmarried Seventh Miss. She was punished by the old lady for doing something wrong and is forbidden from leaving the house for three months. The widow of the Marquis's benefactor also lives here with her child. In addition..."

Qin Yuan drawled, “The Sixth Madam is in charge of the inner quarters. The Sixth Madam’s niece has only recently come to live in the mansion. The Sixth Madam invited her here to keep the Seventh Miss company and also to take her to banquets to help find a good match.”

Qin Siyuan's heart stirred; it seemed that today's matter was indeed due to the Sixth Madam's niece.

“I’ve remembered everything my sister said.”

I knew it! With a sister-in-law as beautiful and charming as my cousin, how could he be any less attractive?

I must find a way to befriend someone like that.

Upon hearing that Qin Yuan's cousin had arrived, the main room immediately became lively. Rong Mama, Qiu Ju, and Xiao Hong all came out to greet him. Rong Mama asked with a smile, "Then this must be our in-law, Tang Duo?"

Sixth Master Gu was taken aback for a moment, then quickly came over to pay his respects. In terms of age, Granny Rong was a few years older than me and had already married and had children, so she naturally became my elder brother, and Sixth Master Gu became my younger brother.

Sixth Master Gu lowered his eyes shyly, not daring to look around recklessly, for fear of being criticized and embarrassing Lu Qing.

“…That…that’s too precious, I really can’t accept it.”

Da Hong exclaimed, "Madam, why are all the people in his family so ugly?"

When Master Gu saw it, his eyes widened.

"Of course it's bad to look at, but his family is very scholarly, so it's the same. Those words were said by the old lady."

Brother Gu Liuye: "..."

Sixth Master Gu knew that they weren't talking about Rong Momo.

Rong Momo said, "You two hit it off immediately. You should have visited each other often. I am a talented man and have long hoped to find someone to study with. If you find him unpleasant, please come less often. I have much to ask you for advice."

Qiu Ju glanced at Sixth Master Gu with her beautiful eyes and secretly nodded.

Qin Fu pinched your big cheek and said, "He's even learned to speak in a bookish way. Is that a mistake?"

"Eighth Sister-in-law, is he like Master Qin?"

Upon entering the lower room, one would see the old lady sitting at the lower end, dressed elegantly with her hair neatly combed, waiting for a short while with a beaming smile.

"Madam is too modest. I have long heard that Granny Rong is fond of reading and reciting poetry. I also wish I had the opportunity to join a poetry club with her."

Old Madam Gu was displeased upon hearing this and hurriedly urged Qiuju and Qin Siyuan to go and collect the gift.

Qin Fu asked with a smile, "Are Qin Yuan's people bad?"

"Greetings to the old lady."

I can resist an expensive folding fan, but I can't resist that Duan inkstone.

Qin Fu looked up and saw Rong Momo meet Eighth Sister-in-law's bright eyes. She thought to herself, "My face is ruined today. I can't let this humiliation go to waste."

I dressed very carefully today, wearing a long silver-blue robe, with a dark blue silk sash around my waist, and a jade pendant hanging at my side, tied with silver silk thread and adorned with many small and large beads. Combined with my gentle and refined face, I truly looked like a handsome scholar.

A pendant the size of a sparrow's egg hangs from the fan handle, below which are seven bats with outstretched wings, symbolizing the seven blessings.

Qin Siyuan presented a square, old green Duan inkstone, with bird, beast, and fish patterns engraved around its seven rims, simple and elegant.

I had long admired Rong Momo's nickname, but had never met her. Although she was a person who liked to pretend to be cultured, she was my little sister's uncle, so I had to put in some effort to deal with her.

Qin Fu said, "That's right. Your cousin said that next time he came and went in a hurry, he didn't even get to pay his respects to the old lady. That time, he should have come to the servants' quarters to pay his respects before he dared to leave."

As a grown man who had undergone the coming-of-age ceremony, Master Gu naturally gave the same gift as Qin Heng. On the plate that Qiu Ju presented him was a white lacquered and gold-painted folding fan. When opened, the fan surface was made of silk, with figures painted on one side and flowers and birds on the other, which complemented each other beautifully.

Master Gu was about to decline.

As they were deferring to each other, Lu Qingfu gracefully stepped back, fanning herself with her fan. Her eyes lit up when she saw that both Master Gu and the Qin family were there.

Rong Momo was extremely satisfied with Lu Qingfu's character and appearance.

Seeing my refined and courteous appearance, Madam Gu was not too disgusted. Moreover, seeing my sincere attitude, proper speech, and gentle demeanor, she liked me even more.

Upon hearing that her eighth sister-in-law had taken her cousin from her maternal family to the servants' quarters, Lu Qingfu hurriedly dressed up and made her reappearance.

Seeing that Old Madam Gu was indeed as kind as you described, and hearing the Qin family members call her "Mother" so naturally and affectionately, it was clear that you were indeed having a very bad time in your husband's family. Immediately, Master Gu felt relieved and quickly gave Old Madam Gu a junior's greeting, saying with a smile, "Old Madam, next time I come and go in a hurry and don't have time to pay my respects to you. Today, since it is convenient for you, I came here specifically to pay my respects and wish you a long and healthy life."

“Your eighth son is retired. He’s been talking about meeting him for a long time. He says we’re all relatives, all scholars, and he should get to know him better. Next time his cousin comes, I’m too embarrassed to come out because I’m injured. I’ll have to have a good chat with him then.”

“Master Tangduo is a handsome man. If you dislike him, that's fine. Why are you being so picky about his manners?”

Owning such a Duan inkstone is truly a blessing for a scholar.

Sixth Master Gu regained his composure and agreed again.

Because of her injured face, she caused a scene at her eighth brother and sister-in-law's place. Before she sobered up on the seventh day, the shameful Rong Momo sighed to herself, wondering how she could be so embarrassing after drinking a little wine. She was unwilling to go out for several days.

Qin Siyuan praised, "Master Tangduo is truly handsome and a man of great talent."

The legendary Master Qin was indeed exceptional.

In the end, he still went along with the old lady's words: "It is not right to disobey the elder's gift. The Qin and Gu families are united by marriage. He is also your elder. It would be bad if you slowly accepted this gift. Your family has many scholars. Do you want to waste those bad things?"

Qin Fu smiled and introduced his cousin, saying, "Mother, that is your cousin, named Siyuan. He just had his coming-of-age ceremony a little while ago and hasn't received his courtesy name yet. I am shy and only study. Mother wanted to pick someone else's gift and scared them off."